HRW Conference

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the Hampton Roads Writers Conference. This was my first conference, and it was a great experience. The blue highlighted link takes you to the group’s website, where you will find some great resources and information about the group–including the Traveling Pen Workshops throughout the year. 

Break-out sessions began Thursday evening  with a choice of four 1.5-hour workshops from which to choose. I opted for “Creating the World in a Short Story” with Cliff Garstang.  

Friday morning’s activities started at 8:00 a.m. with Check In/Coffee Time, followed by the keynote speaker, then, a First Ten Lines Critique Session with three agents and two keynoters. One-hour workshops began at 11:15 a.m. There were four sessions throughout the day, with a choice of four classes in each session. The day ended with a Mix and Mingle Social and Silent Auction.

Saturday’s activities followed the same schedule as Friday, but with only three workshop sessions that day.

The sessions I attended included dialogue, point of view, publishing short stories and essays, memoir writing, and interviewing for nonfiction. The packet we received at Check In contained a handout for each workshop, giving us access to the information in the sessions we were unable to attend. Kudos to Hampton Roads Writers for their efforts in providing those.

No conference is complete without food–a delightful, delicious buffet was served both days. 

By 3:30 p.m. Saturday, with our brains packed to overflowing and a few new friends, we went our separate ways and returned to our former lives. The only downside is we have to wait another year to do it again!